Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

Male Chick Culling 2025-09-11

11 September 2025 · 3 other contributors

Opened by Irene Campbell Lab North Ayrshire and Arran

Agriculture & Rural Affairs

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Irene Campbell raised concerns about male chick culling 2025-09-11 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about the practice of culling male chicks were discussed in Parliament on 2025-09-11.
  • The practice involves killing newly hatched male chicks due to their inability to lay eggs or grow sufficiently for meat production.
  • Research indicates that chick embryos can feel pain from day 13 of incubation and suggests alternatives like in-ovo technology for sex determination.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Irene Campbell Lab North Ayrshire and Arran

I declare an interest: earlier this week, I hosted the 'Ban Hatch and Dispatch' event in Parliament with the Vegetarian Society. The practice of culling male chicks is a cruel process where newly hatched male chicks are killed because they cannot lay eggs or grow fat enough for meat. Globally, 6.5 billion newly hatched male chicks are culled annually, including 45 million in the UK. Research shows that chick embryos feel pain from day 13 of incubation, and alternatives like in-ovo technology can determine sex before hatch without causing distress. Germany, France, and Austria have banned this practice or adopted in-ovo technology voluntarily. I urge the Government to ban male chick culling and adopt in-ovo technology as soon as possible.

Other contributors (3)
  • Maureen Burke Lab Glasgow North East

    Considering advances made in determining sex before hatch, there is absolutely no excuse for commercial egg producers to cull so many animals.

  • Danny Chambers LD Winchester

    Similar technology can identify the sex of chicks and has worked well in the dairy industry. This could be replicated in poultry.

  • Josh Newbury Lab Cannock Chase

    Given that male chick carcasses are used for animal feed, pet food, and bird of prey centres, we need to find a solution to meet this demand if we move to in-ovo sexing.

Government Response

Angela Eagle

I thank my hon. Friend Irene Campbell for securing the debate on male chick culling. The UK has high animal welfare standards, but I acknowledge that many find the practice of culling day-old chicks incomprehensible and wasteful. Regulations ensure humane methods such as argon gas are used. While not a welfare issue per se, it is an ethical one requiring viable alternatives like in-ovo technology to be developed. Germany, France, and Austria have banned culling but faced issues with male chicks being transported elsewhere for killing. The Animal Welfare Committee recommended banning chick culling when reliable technologies are available. Any ban must address rearing and processing of male birds that hatch despite sexing technology. My hon. Friend raises valid points about the supply chain for animal feed, pet food, and bird of prey centres. This section would contain the minister’s response. In this case, there isn't a structured response but an informative text discussing government's stance on animal welfare and technological advancements.

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